Kaiser Ontario, Calif. Hospital Opens Doors
ONTARIO, Calif. — The Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center opened its doors in early November, bringing more jobs to the Inland Empire in California. The 386,000-square-foot hospital combines cutting-edge technology with a sustainable, “peaceful, patient-centered” atmosphere.
The medical center follows Kaiser Permanente’s “template” for its facilities, designed to allow for enhanced flexibility for changing practices and technologies like green features. The facility’s design also meets the new, more rigorous seismic safety standards.
“This state-of-the-art facility is one of the largest, greenest and most technologically advanced ever built in the area, and we are thrilled to be opening our doors,” said Greg Christian, executive director of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals/Health Plan, Fontana and Ontario. “This investment symbolizes our commitment to the health of all people who live and work in the Inland Empire.”
The second Kaiser Permanente medical center in San Bernardino County, which serves about 400,000 members, will allow the hospital system to better serve members and communities on the west end, said Dr. David Quam, area medical director and chief of staff.
All patient rooms are private, with a noise-reducing acoustic design, warm colors and artwork specially commissioned for the facility.
Additional amenities create a family-friendly environment, with beds for overnight stays and wireless Internet access, as well as skylights and large windows to maximize natural light to ease stress.
“This hospital is all about the clinical and personal needs of our patients,” said Georgina Garcia, chief operating officer at the hospital. “Our technology is state of the art, and our healing environment focuses on personalized care. Patient meals will be utilizing the sous vide method for cooking food, used in the finest hotels, and patients can order their meals room service-style – select their menu choices and indicate the time they’d prefer meals to be delivered.”
Officials from Kaiser Permanente reported that the Medical Center is the first to have a fully integrated information technology infrastructure across the entire campus.
Kaiser Permanente’s electronic medical record system is accessible by computer terminals located next to each bed and at nursing stations, allowing providers to retrieve essential medical information at the touch of a finger, while sophisticated imaging systems improve diagnostic and treatment capabilities, according to a statement from Kaiser Permanente.
A wall-to-wall wireless network provides wireless network coverage in all areas of the campus to support computing devices, wireless telephones, and member access.
In addition to billions invested in upgrades across its facilities, the Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center replacement hospital will open in 2013.